Jonathan watched him enter through the kitchen.
Ten minutes later, Elena emerged.
She was crying.
Jonathan felt something inside him harden.
She walked toward the staff parking area carrying her purse.
No coat.
No umbrella.
Jonathan stepped from behind the shed.
“Elena.”
She stopped.
Recognition.
“You're still here?”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“You're crying.”
She wiped her face.
“Please go.”
“Did they fire you?”
She looked toward the house.
Then nodded.
Jonathan felt the answer like a blow.
“For giving me breakfast?”
“For insubordination.”
“Because of me.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Elena shook her head.
“Don't do that.”
“Do what?”
“Make yourself responsible for how other people choose to behave.”
Jonathan stared at her.
Margaret could have said that.
Elena opened her car.
A twelve-year-old Honda Civic.
Rust near the rear wheel.
Jonathan noticed a child's booster bag in the back.
He hated that he noticed details in financial terms.
Value of car.
Likely repair costs.
Likely monthly insurance.
His brain converted life into numbers automatically.
“Elena.”
She looked at him.
“I can repay you.”
She almost smiled.
“With what?”
Jonathan looked down at his costume.
Fair question.
“I'll find a way.”
“Keep the food.”
“I mean your job.”
She stopped.
For a moment she studied him.
“You can't.”
“You don't know that.”
“No offense, but unless you secretly own the house, you can't.”
Jonathan nearly laughed.
Then he saw her face.
She was trying to be kind to him while she'd just lost her job because of him.
“Why did you do it?”
“What?”
“Give me the food.”
Elena looked genuinely confused.
“You said you were hungry.”
“That was enough?”
“What else was I supposed to ask?”
“Who I was.”
“Why?”
“Whether I deserved help.”
Her expression changed.
“Hungry people don't need résumés.”
Jonathan had no answer.
Elena opened the driver's door.
Then she stopped.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Were you really hungry?”
The question struck him.
Jonathan looked at the breakfast bag in his hand.
“No.”
Elena stared.
He realized he'd answered too quickly.
“What?”
Jonathan recovered.
“I mean... not anymore.”
She looked suspicious.
Before she could speak, the back door of the mansion opened.
Derek stepped outside.
“Elena!”
Her body stiffened.
Derek walked toward them.
“I told you to leave the property.”
“I am leaving.”
He looked at Jonathan.
“And you.”
Jonathan lowered his head again.